Andong: The remains of a late South Korean university student, who was allegedly tortured to death by a criminal organization in Cambodia, were returned to his bereaved family Tuesday. This return comes 74 days after he was found dead in the Southeast Asian country.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the cremated remains of the student, identified only by his surname Park, were handed over to his family at the Gyeongbuk Province Police Agency located in Andong. The remains arrived earlier in the day on a Korean Air flight. The family has announced plans to hold a memorial service before proceeding with the burial of the remains.
Park, in his 20s, was reportedly enticed into traveling to Cambodia by a criminal ring. He was discovered dead in August near Bokor Mountain, an area known for employment scams and detentions targeting South Koreans. His death, occurring less than a month after his arrival in Cambodia, has sparked significant public outcry in South Korea. This reaction led to the South Korean government dispatching a delegation to Cambodia last week to tackle the growing crimes against its citizens there.
The repatriation of Park's remains followed a joint autopsy conducted by South Korean and Cambodian officials. The body was cremated afterward. Further analysis, including drug and toxin tests, is expected to ascertain the exact cause of his death, as stated by South Korean police.
Park had informed his family that he was attending an exhibition in Cambodia before he left for the country on July 17. Tragically, he was found dead inside a car on August 8, with local police reporting signs of torture on his body. His remains were delivered to his family, who were not present at the airport to receive them.
Earlier this month, Cambodian prosecutors charged three Chinese nationals with the murder of the student, as reported by local media. In connection with the case, a key suspect accused of luring Park into opening a bank account and arranging his travel to Cambodia was arrested in South Korea on Sunday.